Connect with us

Business

Petrol, diesel prices likely to witness sharp increase in next review on Jan 31

Published

on

  • Petrol, HSD expected to go up by Rs7 per litre each on Jan 31, 2024.
  • Domestic prices slashed several times in last three months. 
  • Expected jump based on global prices of HSD, petrol and crude oil.

ISLAMABAD: Following back-to-back relief in fuel prices, the caretaker government is likely to increase the prices of petrol and high speed diesel (HSD) in the next fortnightly review on January 31, The News reported on Thursday.

The expected hike in fuel prices is due to a surge in international oil rates amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, industry officials said on Wednesday.

The government, which adjusts the prices of petroleum products every 15 days based on the recommendations of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, is likely to raise the price of petrol and diesel by Rs7 per litre each on January 31, 2024, an official told The News.

The expected hike in the prices of petroleum products would come after domestic prices remained stable or witnessed a decrease since November 01, 2023.

“The situation is most likely to be different this time after petroleum prices saw some reduction in the last three months,” an oil sector official said as he pointed out that global prices of petroleum products went up in the last one week after a crisis in the Middle East, especially the Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea, triggering the strike from US and UK against them in Yemen.

They said that the expected jump in the domestic prices is based on the global prices of HSD, petrol and crude oil, which have fluctuated upward by four to five dollars in the last one week.

The international price of petrol jumped to $89 per barrel from $83 per barrel in one week whereas the price of HSD surged to $97-98 per barrel from $ 93 per barrel in a week.

The international price of crude oil increased to $80 per barrel from $76 per barrel.

Officials said that the $4 to $5 per barrel increase in the global prices has been translated to push the prices up in the market.

They said that the dollar in the local market is stable, otherwise the price fluctuation would have been even higher upwardly in the local market.

They added that some resistance came in the prices of these products at the international level and it is expected that in the next few days, the prices may remain at these levels.

Business

Irfan Siddiqui meets with the PM and informs him about the Senate performance of the parliamentary party.

Published

on

By

The head of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Standing Committee and the PML-N’s parliamentary leader paid Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif a visit in Islamabad.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Parliamentary Party’s Senate performance.

Additionally, Senator Irfan Siddiqui gave the Prime Minister an update on the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs’ performance.

He complimented the Prime Minister on his outstanding efforts to bring Pakistan’s economy back on track and meet its economic objectives.

Continue Reading

Business

SIFC Increases Direct Foreign Investment: Investment in the Energy Sector Rises by 120%

Published

on

By

The Special Investment Facilitation Council is intended to help Pakistan’s energy sector attract $585.6 million in direct foreign investment in 2024–2025. The amount invested at the same time previous year was $266.3 million.

This is a notable 120% rise, mostly due to investments in gas exploration, oil, and power. Such expansion indicates heightened investor confidence and emphasizes the development potential in important areas.

The State Bank reports that foreign investment in other vital industries has increased by 48% to $771 million.

This advancement is a blatant testament to SIFC’s efficient investment procedure and quick project execution.

The purpose of the Special Investment Facilitation Council is to establish Pakistan as an investment hub by aggressively promoting regional trade and investment in the energy sector and other critical industries.

Continue Reading

Business

Discos report losses of Rs239 billion.

Published

on

By

When compared to the same period last year, the data indicates that discos have decreased their losses in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.

The distribution businesses recorded losses of Rs239 billion in the first three months of the current fiscal year, a substantial decrease from the Rs308 billion losses sustained during the same period the previous year.

Additionally, the distribution businesses’ rate of recovery has improved. It has increased to 91% in the first quarter of this year from 84% in the same period last year, indicating success in revenue collection.

Regarding circular debt, the Power division observed a notable change. Last year, between July and October, the circular debt grew by Rs301 billion. Nonetheless, this year’s first four months saw a relatively modest increase in circular debt, totaling about Rs11 billion.

These enhancements show promising developments in the electricity sector’s financial health in Pakistan, where initiatives are being made to accelerate recovery rates and slow the expansion of circular debt.

Continue Reading

Trending